Outboard motor unit

ABSTRACT

An outboard motor unit for use on small boats and having a primary propulsion engine connected through a clutch to the propeller shaft and an electric motor aligned with and connected to the propeller shaft. The electric motor is connected to a battery through a switch operatively connected to the engine throttle to complete the power connection for the electric motor when the throttle is at a selected proportion of full throttle. The electric motor operates as a motor when the engine is stopped and as a generator when the engine is running.

United States Patent Balaguer [54] OUTBOARD MOTOR UNIT [72] Inventor:Rodolfo Rodriguez Balaguer, 2607 Grace Drive, Harbor Beach, FortLauderdale, Fla. 33316 22 Filed: 0a. 28, 1911 21 Appl.No.: 193,353

52] -U.S. c1 ..290l43,290/46,115/l8 A, 115/18 E, 290/54 511 1111.0..F03b 13/10 [58] Field of Search ..1 15/18 A, 18 E; 290/42, 43,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,619,632 11/1971 Labombarde1290/43 3,411,013 ll/l968 Vogelsang ..290/43X 1451 Nov. 21, 19721,898,973. 2/1933 Lansing ..290/54X Primary Examiner-G. R. SimmonsAttorney-Charles B. Smith [57 ABSTRACT An outboard motor unit for-use onsmall boats and having a primary propulsion engine connected through aclutch to the propeller shaft and an electric motor aligned with andconnected to the propeller shaft. The electric motor is connected to abattery through a switch operatively connected to the engine throttle tocomplete the power connection for the electric motor when the throttleis at a selected proportion of full throttle. The electric motoroperates as a motor when the engine is stopped and as a generator whenthe engine is running.

6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures TO BATTERY OUTBOARD MOTOR UNIT I BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to: outboard motors usedfor the propulsion of small boats. Such engines,.in

a variety of styles and sizes, have been used for many years forpropelling small boats used for fishing, plea sure boating andotherpurposes.

In general, the size of outboardmotor, in terms of horsepower, selectedfora particular boat is determined by the size and weight of the boatand the use to be made of the boat. Whena boat is to be used forfishing, it is customary to select a motor of sufficient size to propelthe boat at asubstantial speed to permit rapid travel to and fromafishing area. However, while actually engaged in fishing, andespecially when trolling, the motor is generally far larger'than isnecessary for movement of the boat and much noisier than is desirable.This problem is sometimes accommodated by providing a boat with twooutboard motors, a large one for principal propulsion and a small onefor trolling or moving in the fishing area.

Small auxiliary outboard motors are also used on occasion forreliability in the event of failure of the principal propulsion motor.

The use of an additional small outboard motor, whether for fishing orfor reliability, represents a substantial extra initial expense andsubstantial additional maintenance problems.

' The principal object of the present invention has been to provide anoutboard motor unit which, in one unit, provides a principal propulsionmotor and a relatively small auxiliary propulsion motor.

Another object of the invention has been the provision of such anoutboard motor unit which is only slightly more expensive than aconventional outboard motor of equal horsepower and which requireslittle or no maintenance beyond that of'a conventional out- BRIEFDESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The outboard motor unit of the inventioncomprises a conventional outboard engine which may be of the two cycleor four cycle type and may be powered by any desired fuel, e.g.,gasoline or diesel oil. The engine is coupled through a clutchingarrangement to a propeller shaft on which is mounted the propeller. Thepropeller shaft is extended beyond the usual end thrust bearing and isdirectly coupled to-an electric motor. The electric motor is connectedto a battery through a cam operated switch which is arranged to beclosed only when the engine throttle is at or beyond a selectedproportion of its full on position, e.g. three-fourths throttle. Whenthe engine is operating at the selected speed of rotation of thepropeller shaft will be sure,

ciently high that the 7 electric motor operates as a generator to chargethe battery. At lower engine speeds, the cam operated switch will beopen and the electric motor will not produce any. output.

When the engine is not running, turning the engine throttle toor beyondthe selected position will connect the'electric motor to the battery soas to powerthe electric motor and in turn to rotate the propeller shaft.At this time the engine clutch will be in its disengaged position sothat the electric motor will not be required to turn over the engine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention will now bedescribed in greater detail with reference to the appended drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an outboard motor nection arrangementuseful in operating the outboard motor unit of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, there isshown an outboard motor of conventional design comprising an internalcombustion engine located within a housing 10, a lower drive unit 11 anda shaft housing 12 intercoupling the engine and the lower drive unit. I

A combined steering and throttle handle 13, shown more or lessdiagrammatically, is provided to steer the boat and to control theengine speed in the usual way. This is to say, when a rotatable handgrip 14 at the end of handle 13 is rotated, an internal shaft 15 is.rotated which, through gears 16 and 17, rotates throttle shaft 18 tospeed up or slow down the engine, depending on the direction ofrotation. v

The engine power is delivered through a drive shaft 19 and bevel gears20 and 21 (or 20 and 22) to a propeller shaft 23 on which is mounted apropeller 24 for driving the boat. A clutch mechanism 25 is provided toengage bevel gears 20 and 21 or 20 and 22 or to disengage gear 20 fromboth gears 21 and 22 to provide forward motion, reverse motion or nomotion (neutral). The lower unit 11 is filled with oil to providelubrication for the gears.

What has been described so far is a preferably conventional outboardmotor. For this reason most of the parts of the outboard motor have notbeen illustrated in detail and some have been omitted for simplicity,e.g., the starting cord and the mounting brackets.

As is best shown in FIG. 2, at the rear of the lower unit 1 1 thepropeller shaft 23 is journalled for rotation in a bearing 26, as iscustomary. The adjacent rear end of the propeller shaft is hollowed outto accommodate has threaded openings which accept peripherally.

spaced bolts 33 which act in holes provided in annular plate 29 andserve to attach motor 32 to plate 29.

Seal ring 30 is compressed between collar 31 and plate 29 by the actionof bolts 29 and serves to keep water from penetrating between collar 31and plate 29. However, seal ring 30. preferably does not prevent oilfrom lower unit 11 and which is present at bearing 26 from seeping alongthe surface of shaft 27. This oil is however kept away from the electricmotor 32 by means of O-rings 34 and 35 located in internal annulargrooves in collar 31.

It should be understood that the electric motor housing may be madeintegral with the rear wall 28 of the lower unit 11. in such case, theO-rings 34 and 35, or similar devices, would still be provided to keepoil from the lower unit out of the electric motor.

The electric motor 32 is preferably of the permanent magnet rotor typewith the rotor unit mounted on shaft 27. One of the motor brushes isgrounded to the motor housing, as indicated diagrammatically at 36. Theground connection is made also to the outboard engine proper throughbolts 33 and plate 29. The other of the motor brushes is connected toone terminal of a microswitch 37 through a conductor 38 which passesthrough aligned openings in collar 31, seal ring 30, plate 29 and rearwall 28 and then up through shaft housing 12.

The other terminal of micro-switch 37 is connected through a conductor39 to one terminal of a battery (not shown) which may be the startingbattery commonlyprovided for outboard engines or may be a separatebattery provided for auxiliary propulsion. Typically the battery will be12 volts. The other terminal of the battery is grounded to the outboardengine through a conductor 40. The battery connections for outboardengines are commonly made through plug and socket units or bindingposts, and connectors such as these, while not shown, would normally beused for convenience.

The micro-switch 37 mounted on the engine housing and is provided withan operating arm 41 located in the path of a cam 42 carried by a collar43 which in turn is carried by outboard engine throttle shaft 10. Thearrangement is such that at a predetermined throttle setting, e.g., 75percent of full throttle, cam 42 will actuate arm 41 and closemicroswitch 37 thereby completing the electrical connection between theelectric motor 32 and the battery. The cam 42 is so shaped as tomaintain the micro-switch 37 closed for all throttie settings above theselected value and to open the micro-switch for all throttle settingsbelow the selected value.

.When the outboard engine is running and the clutch is engaged, shaft 23will be turned over by the engine. When the throttle setting issufficient to close microswitch 37, the shaft 23, and hence also motorshaft 27,

will be turning at an RPM'substantially higher than the normal RPMresulting from electric motor operation. Hence the electric motor 32will act not as a motor but rather as a generator and will charge thebattery. The value of throttle setting at which switch 37 is closedshould be selected to insure the generator type of operation while theengine itself is running. Three.- quarters throttle has been foundtypically to be a satisfactory value for this purpose.

If the engine is running and the clutch is disengaged, opening thethrottle sufficiently to close switch 37 will cause motor 32 to beoperated and to turn over shaft 27 and hence also propeller 24. However,since it is generally considered quite harmful to run an engine at highspeed with the clutch disengaged, this situation is not likely to becontinued for long enough to present any real problem.

When switch 37 is closed with the engine stopped, electric motor 32 willbe operated to turn shaft 27 and hence also shaft 23 and propeller 24and thus to propel the boat to which the outboard motor unit isattached. With an electric motor of reasonable horsepower relative tothe size andweight of the boat, the boat will be propelled at arelatively slow speed suitable for trolling. And since an electric motoris inherently quiet, a low noise level will be maintained. 7

Should the clutch 25 inadvertently be in engaged position and with theengine stopped at the time the motor 32 is powered, the electric motorwill generally stall since its torque output is well below thatnecessary to turn over the engine against compression. in thisconnection it will be realized that an electric motor suitable for useas a starting motor would draw far too much power to be practical forpropulsion purposes.

By way of example, for an outboard engine of 6 horsepower, an electricmotor 32 which drew 10 amperes at 12 volts (about one-sixth horsepower),was found satisfactory for trolling purposes. In this case, the electricmotor, when operated as a motor, turned over at about 500 RPM (underload) and when operated as a generator turned over at about 2,800 RPM ormore. When rotated at 3,200 RPM the motor (generator) yielded a chargingrate of 2 amperes. The same motor 32 has been found usable with a 25horsepower engine, although a larger motor can be used to advantage.

Very small outboard engines, e.g., those of Ht to 39% horsepowercommonly arebuilt without clutches. To use the invention with suchengines a one-direction clutch may be added to the engine drive train soas to disengage the enmne from the propeller shaft when torque issupplied from the electric motor rather than the engine. By way ofexample, a one-direction clutch was installed in the lower unit of a 1%.horsepower outboard engine to disengage the engine from the propellershaft when the electric motor was operated. The lower unit was providedwith a factory installed 2:1 reduction gear. An electric motor 32 ofabout onetwelfth horsepower was coupled to the propeller shaft through aplanetary gear train providing a 7:1 reduction between the electricmotor and the propeller shaft.

When the outboard motor engine runs at @000 RPM the propeller shaftturns at 2,000 RPM yielding anelectric motor RPM of 14,000 RPM. At thisspeed, the

electric motor operates as a generator. With the engine off and theelectric motor powered, the motor operates at 10,000 RPM, yielding apropeller rotational speed of 1,400 RPM (atno load, i.e., out of thewater). It should be understood that a lower gear ratio than 7:1 wouldbe preferable. I

In accordance with a further'aspect of the invention, the electric motor32may be of the type which will operate at either of two voltages, e.g.,6 volts .or 12 volts. Normally the electric motor will be operated at 12volts since this is the usual storage battery voltage. To operate at adecreased speed but for a longer period on the same storage batterycharge, the battery may be connected as shown inFIG. 3.

In FIG. 3 thereis shown a storage battery 44 which is of the type withconnections for cells accessible. The battery has series connected cells45, 46 and 47 providing 6 volts and series connected cells 48, 49 and 50providing 6 volts. The usual connection between cells 47 and 48 isremoved.

The'positive terminal of cell 45 is connected to conductor 39 and to acontact 51 of a double pole-double throw switch 52. The negativeterminal of cell 47 is connected to an armature 53 of switch 52. Thenegative terminal of cell 50 is connected to conductor 40 and to contact54 of switch 52. The positive terminal of cell 48'is connected tocontact 55 of switch 52 and, through a conductor 56, to armature 57 ofswitch 52.

With switch 52 in the right hand position of FIG. 3

and with arrnatures 53 and 57 made with contacts 54 and 51,respectively, 6 volts will be available at conductors 39 and 40 but withcell groups 45-47 and 48-50 connected in parallel to afford the combinedampere hour capacity of the two groups. With switch 52 in the left handposition of FIG. 3 and with armature 53 made with contact 55, the cellgroups 45-47 and 48-50 will be connected in series to provide 12 voltsat conductors 39 and 40. o

The arrangement of FIG. 3 can, of course, be used with two separatebatteries rather than two groups of cells of the same battery.

While the invention has been described in connection with specificembodiments thereof and in a specific use, various modifications thereofwill occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. I

What is claimed is:

1. An outboard motor unit, for use on small boats, comprising:

a. a primary propulsion engine having a throttle control for adjustingthe speed of said engine;

b. a lower unit adapted to be immersed in water and having a propellerarranged to be rotated to propel a boat to which said outboard motorunit is attached;

c. a propeller shaft in said lower unit and on which said propeller ismounted;

d. means including a drive shaft and a gear mechanism operativelyintercoupling said propeller shaft and said engine for rotating saidpropeller shaft and said propeller when said engine is operating;

. clutch means for disengaging said engine from said propeller shaft topermit rotation of said propeller shaft and said propeller independentlyof operaf. 39312211? :1?) i' liaving a rotor shaft aligned with andoperatively coupled to said propeller shaft and arranged to be rotatedwhen said propeller shaft rotates and to rotate said propeller shaftwhen said rotor shaft is rotated;

. an electrical power connection for said electric motor, saidconnection including an operable switch mechanism for opening andclosing saidpower connection; and

h. means operatively interconnecting said throttle control andsaid'switch mechanism and arranged to close said switch mechanism andthereby to close said power connection for throttle settings at andabove a selected value and to open said switch mechanism and thereby toopen said power connection for throttle settings below said selectedvalue.

2. An outboard motor unit as setforth in claim 1 in which said electricmotor is constructed to rotate said propeller shaft at a relatively lowspeed when said motor is powered through said'electrical powerconnection and in which said selected value of throttle settingcorresponds to an engine speed sufficient, when said clutch mechanism isengaged with said engine operating, to rotate said propeller shaft at aspeed higher than said relatively low speed whereby said electric motoracts as a generator.

3. An outboard motor unit as set forth in claim 2 in which said lowerunit is filled with lubricant oil, in which communication between saidlower unit and the forward end of said rotor shaft exposes the latter tolubricant oil from said lower unit, and in which means is provided toexclude said oil from the interior of said electric motor.

4. An outboard motor unit as set forth in claim 2 in which said throttlecontrol includes a rotatable throttle shaft and in which said meansoperatively intercoupling said throttle control and said switchmechanism includes a cam mounted on said throttle shaft and arranged tocontact said switch mechanism.

5. An outboard motor unit as set forth in claim 2 in' which saidselected value of throttle setting is approximately 14 full throttle.

6. An outboard motor unit as set forth in claim 2 in whichsaidelectrical power connection includes a multicell battery and inwhich switch means is provided selectively to connect all of said cellsin series and two groups of said cells in parallel.

' a e a a

1. An outboard motor unit, for use on small boats, comprising: a. aprimary propulsion engine having a throttle control for adjusting thespeed of said engine; b. a lower unit adapted to be immersed in waterand having a propeller arranged to be rotated to propel a boat to whichsaid outboard motor unit is attached; c. a propeller shaft in said lowerunit and on which said propeller is mounted; d. means including a driveshaft and a gear mechanism operatively intercoupling said propellershaft and said engine for rotating said propeller shaft and saidpropeller when said engine is operating; e. clutch means for disengagingsaid engine from said propeller shaft to permit rotation of saidpropeller shaft and said propeller independently of operation of saidengine; f. an electric motor having a rotor shaft aligned with andoperatively coupled to said propeller shaft and arranged to be rotatedwhen said propeller shaft rotates and to rotate said propeller shaftwhen said rotor shaft is rotated; g. an electrical power connection forsaid electric motor, said connection including an operable switchmechanism for opening and closing said power connection; and h. meansoperatively interconnecting said throttle control and said switchmechanism and arranged to close said switch mechanism and thereby toclose said power connection for throttle settings at and above aselected value and to open said switch mechanism and thereby to opensaid power connection for throttle settings below said selectedvalue.
 1. An outboard motor unit, for use on small boats, comprising: a.a primary propulsion engine having a throttle control for adjusting thespeed of said engine; b. a lower unit adapted to be immersed in waterand having a propeller arranged to be rotated to propel a boat to whichsaid outboard motor unit is attached; c. a propeller shaft in said lowerunit and on which said propeller is mounted; d. means including a driveshaft and a gear mechanism operatively intercoupling said propellershaft and said engine for rotating said propeller shaft and saidpropeller when said engine is operating; e. clutch means for disengagingsaid engine from said propeller shaft to permit rotation of saidpropeller shaft and said propeller independently of operation of saidengine; f. an electric motor having a rotor shaft aligned with andoperatively coupled to said propeller shaft and arranged to be rotatedwhen said propeller shaft rotates and to rotate said propeller shaftwhen said rotor shaft is rotated; g. an electrical power connection forsaid electric motor, said connection including an operable switchmechanism for opening and closing said power connection; and h. meansoperatively interconnecting said throttle control and said switchmechanism and arranged to close said switch mechanism and thereby toclose said power connection for throttle settings at and above aselected value and to open said switch mechanism and thereby to opensaid power connection for throttle settings below said selected value.2. An outboard motor unit as set forth in claim 1 in which said electricmotor is constructed to rotate said propeller shaft at a relatively lowspeed when said motor is powered through said electrical powerconnection and in which said selected value of throttle settingcorresponds to an engine speed sufficient, when said clutch mechanism isengaged with said engine operating, to rotate said propeller shaft at aspeed higher than said relatively low speed whereby said electric motoracts as a generator.
 3. An outboard motor unit as set forth in claim 2in which said lower unit is filled with lubricant oil, in whichcommunication between said lower unit and the forward end of said rotorshaft exposes the latter to lubricant oil from said lower unit, and inwhich means is provided to exclude said oil from the interior of saidelectric motor.
 4. An outboard motor unit as set forth in claim 2 inwhich said throttle control includes a rotatable throttle shaft and inwhich said means operatively intercoupling said throttle control andsaid switch mechanism includes a cam mounted on said throttle shaft andarranged to contact said switch mechanism.
 5. An outboard motor unit asset forth in claim 2 in which said selected value of throttle setting isapproximately 3/4 full throttle.